MedWorm: Infertility

Think You Can't Get Pregnant? Try Again, Study Says

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:25:06 +0100

Almost half of women who said they'd been struggling to get pregnant for at least a year ended up having a baby despite not getting fertility treatment, in a new study from Australia.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Page: Female Infertility (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Detailed Analysis of Peripheral Blood Natural Killer Cells in Women with Repeated IVF Failure

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:09:23 +0100

ConclusionsPeripheral blood NK cell activity is significantly higher in women with RIF than in fertile controls. Future trials of immune therapy in women undergoing IVF should target those with high NK activity. (Source: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology)

Association between obesity and alteration of sperm DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity

BJU International — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION• Increased BMI values are associated with decreased mitochondrial activity and progressive motility and increased DNA fragmentation. (Source: BJU International)

Seed Therapy for Prostate Cancer May Zap Fertility

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:38:48 +0100

Radioactive "seeds" that are sometimes used to treat early prostate cancer may do widespread damage to the DNA in a man's sperm, a small study finds.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Male Infertility, Prostate Cancer (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

The limits for detection of activated caspases of spermatozoa by western blot in human semen

Andrologia — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryDetection of activated caspases of spermatozoa could be helpful to evaluate male infertility. Although western blot is validated as a highly specific method to detect the proteins extracted from cells, the ability of this technique to detect activated sperm caspases in human semen may be limited. Indeed, round cells, which potentially contain some activated caspases, may be present in semen and interfere with the detection of activated sperm caspases. Moreover, it is necessary to evaluate the minimum amount of spermatozoa necessary to optimise the detection of activated caspases in semen samples. Our results showed that interference due to round cells contained in semen with activated caspase‐3 requires separation of spermatozoa by density migration. This sperm preparation selects...

Woman, 21, who was told she was infertile after battling cancer twice has 'miracle' baby

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:20:34 +0100

Madeleine Telfer from Kilmarnock in Scotland thought she had lost the chance to become a mother after having 300 hours of chemotherapy to battle Hodgkin's Lymphoma twice. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Successful Conservative Treatment of a Cesarean Scar Pregnancy with Systemically Administered Methotrexate and Subsequent Dilatation and Curettage: A Case Report

International Journal of Photoenergy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:10:23 +0100

Cesarean scar pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy associated with severe complications such as uterine rupture, uncontrollable bleeding which may lead to hysterectomy, and definitive infertility. Many therapeutic options are available such as Dilatation & Curetage, excision of trophoblastic tissues using either laparotomy or laparoscopy, systemically administered Methotrexate, and more recently uterine artery embolization. The use of Methotrexate sometimes required laparotomy later because of severe hemorrhage. Through this paper, we demonstrated that viable cesarean scar pregnancy can be managed safely by systemically delivered Methotrexate at the cost of a prolonged followup. (Source: International Journal of Photoenergy)

Innovation in male infertility research

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona patented an innovative system to specify in a simple, cost-effective and reliable manner the infertility of a person through the study of oxidative stress on sperm, a parameter rarely studied until now. The method was developed by professor Jordi Benet and doctoral researcher Agustí Garcia Peiró from the UAB Unit in Cellular Biology and Medical Genetics. The Centre d'Infertilitat Masculina i Anàlisis de Barcelona was founded to commercialize the method. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Relational uncertainty, partner interference, and privacy boundary turbulence: Explaining spousal discrepancies in infertility disclosures

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study explored what relational aspects contribute to spouses managing private, infertility-related information differently. We examined associations among relational uncertainty and partner interference and three manifestations of boundary turbulence: discrepancies in disclosures, relative discomfort, and perceived spousal acceptability. Using data from 50 infertile couples reporting on 250 social network relationships, we used multi-level modeling to test our predictions that relational uncertainty and partner interference would positively correlate with boundary turbulence. Results were partially consistent with the predictions for relational uncertainty and inconsistent with regard to partner interference. These findings suggest that relational features of a partnership coincide wi...

Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma in men with different spermatogenic impairment

Andrologia — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummarySeminal plasma is a potential source of biomarkers for many disorders of the male reproductive system including male infertility. The identification and characterisation of differentially expressed proteins in seminal plasma of man with normal and impaired spermatogenesis can help in the elucidation of the molecular basis of male infertility. We compared the protein expression profiles of seminal plasma from four different groups of men as follows: normozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, oligozoospermic and azoospermic groups, using two‐dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE). We found eight proteins with statistically significant increased expression in azoospermia compared with at least one of the other studied groups. The differentially expressed spots were fibron...

Varicocele Surgery Raises Testosterone LevelsVaricocele Surgery Raises Testosterone Levels

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:12:32 +0100

The most common cause of male infertility can be corrected through surgery, a meta-analysis finds. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Contemporary aspects of male gamete (dys)function: aiming towards optimizing the treatment of fertilization disorders

Fertility and Sterility — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:13:41 +0100

At its inception, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was a relatively straightforward procedure encompassing the in vitro insemination of surgically retrieved oocytes and the trans-cervical uterine placement of the ensuing embryos with the goal of overcoming tubal infertility. Since that time, IVF has become the ultimate treatment modality for all infertility indications when standard treatments have failed. While IVF has revolutionized our clinical armamentarium, it has also served as a remarkable scientific tool allowing direct visualization of male and female gamete interaction and assessment of human embryo development, thus enabling reproductive specialists to dissect and better understand the early human reproductive processes. In its earliest stages, IVF was directed at the treatment of...

Epigenetics of the male gamete

Fertility and Sterility — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:13:41 +0100

Conclusion(s): The sperm epigenome implies a poising of the paternal genome for embryogenesis and a possible role in the establishment of totipotency of the embryo and may help in understanding some causes of reduced fertility and transmission of disease risk. (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

Human spermatozoal RNAs

Fertility and Sterility — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:13:41 +0100

Conclusion(s): A specific set of functional RNAs are delivered into oocytes during fertilization and are thought to contribute extragenomically to early embryonic development. Even if spermatozoal RNAs is merely residual, it still has the potential to greatly improve the investigative and diagnostic potential of male infertility. (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

Can vitamin D help infertile couples conceive?

NHS News Feed — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0100

Conclusion This systematic review looked for all available studies prior to October 2011 that had looked at fertility and vitamin D. Besides this very broad search the review included animal, laboratory and observational studies, which means that it is difficult to draw conclusions on the implications of this data for people. The researchers noted that there was a real lack of human controlled studies. As a result, it is not possible to say that fertility problems in men and women could be helped by vitamin D supplementation, increasing vitamin D through diet or spending time in the sun. Vitamin D and its human effects is currently a topic of immense interest to the public and to policy makers. This research looked at another angle, that of fertility, and is useful in giving a broad overvi...

Potential For Male Contraception By Sonicating Sperm

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

The ideal male contraceptive would be inexpensive, reliable, and reversible. It would need to be long acting but have few side effects. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology used commercially available therapeutic ultrasound equipment to reduce sperm counts of male rats to levels which would result in infertility in humans. Ultrasound's potential as a male contraceptive was first reported nearly 40 years ago. However the equipment used is now outdated and no longer available... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Does Acupuncture Boost IVF Success?

MedlinePlus Health News — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:50:00 +0100

Acupuncture may help some women conceive through in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a new analysis of past research concludes. But the true benefit in the real world, if any, remains unclear.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Acupuncture, Infertility (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Sonicating sperm -- the future of male contraception

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(BioMed Central) The ideal male contraceptive would be inexpensive, reliable, and reversible. It would need to be long acting but have few side effects. New research published in BioMed Central's open-access journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology used commercially available therapeutic ultrasound equipment to reduce sperm counts of male rats to levels which would result in infertility in humans. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Predictive factors of a successful testicular biopsy and subsequent clinical pregnancy

Andrologia — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:08:22 +0100

SummaryForecast of success with testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) remains unknown, as predictive factors have rarely been studied. We evaluated the association among possible predictive factors and a successful biopsy and clinical pregnancy. A consecutive sample of men submitted to a testicular open biopsy in S. João Hospital was used. Patient's age, medical history, testicular volume, spermogram, genetic testing, endocrinologic results, biopsy results and clinical pregnancy information were collected. From the 113 men included, it was possible to retrieve spermatozoa in 79.6% of the cases, which resulted in 58 fertilisations and 22 clinical pregnancies. Retrieving viable spermatozoa on biopsy was associated with the identification of spermatozoa in t...

Removal And Storage Of Ovarian Tissue Enables Birth After Cancer Treatment

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

For the first time in Germany, a woman has given birth to a child after removal and preservation of tissue from one of her ovaries. This course of action was necessary to avoid infertility owing to chemo- and radiotherapy. Andreas MÃ¼ller and his colleagues report the case in the current issue of Deutsches Arzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2012; 109[1-2]: 8-13). The majority of young female patients who need radio- or chemotherapy for treatment of a tumor express concerns about fertility... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Uterine transplantation research: laboratory protocols for clinical application

Molecular Human Reproduction — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The aim of this review is to summarize the state-of the-art methods that are used in clinical organ transplantation today, as well as the major findings of recent experimental uterus transplantation (UTx) research regarding organ donation/retrieval, ischemic preservation, surgical techniques for anastomosis, immunosuppression and pregnancy. Absolute uterine factor infertility lacks treatment despite the major developments in infertility treatment and assisted reproduction. Concerning uterine factor infertile patients, genetic motherhood is only possible through gestational surrogacy. The latter can pose medical, ethical and legal concerns such as lack of control of life habits during surrogate pregnancy, economic motives for women to become surrogate mothers, medical/psychological pregnanc...

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Proteomics Analysis of Plasma for Early Diagnosis of Endometriosis.

Obstetrics and Gynecology — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:43:08 +0100

CONCLUSION:: A noninvasive test using proteomic analysis of plasma samples obtained during the menstrual phase enabled the diagnosis of endometriosis undetectable by ultrasonography with high sensitivity and specificity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: II. PMID: 22270279 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Male Fertility and Reduction in Semen Parameters: A Single Tertiary-Care Center Experience

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:56:20 +0100

Conclusion. Our data highlights the possibility of a spontaneous conception with semen parameters below WHO reference values. Therefore, we support the importance of defining reference values on a population of fertile men. Finally, we analyzed the related ethical issues. (Source: Advances in Pharmacological Sciences)

New Life Agency Rolls Out Assisted Reproduction Insurance Program

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:22:00 +0100

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Life Agency has announced a new Assisted Reproduction Insurance Program(r) (ARI). The Program will be spearheaded by infertility nurse, Ellen Argall, RN. New Life Agency, the only company specializing exclusively in Assisted Reproduction Insurance(r), thus far has partnered with three Fertility Centers to provide insurance for fertility patients. The ARI program provides a tremendous cost savings, as well as a peace of mind, to patients in need of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The average IVF cost is roughly $12,000 and is generally only for one cycle. Also, frozen embryos are typically not included in the cost and could result in another $3,000 for a frozen embryo transfer (FET). The ARI program includes both FET, as we...

Birth after cancer treatment with removal and storage of ovary

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Deutsches Aerzteblatt International) For the first time in Germany, a woman has given birth to a child after removal and preservation of tissue from one of her ovaries. This course of action was necessary to avoid infertility owing to chemo- and radiotherapy. Andreas Mueller and his colleagues report the case in the current issue of Deutsches Aerzteblatt International. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

The role of melatonin as an antioxidant in the follicle

Journal of Ovarian Research — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Melatonin is secreted during the dark hours at night by pineal gland, and it regulates a variety of important central and peripheral actions related to circadian rhythms and reproduction. It has been believed that melatonin regulates ovarian function by the regulation of gonadotropin release in the hypothalamus-pituitary gland axis via its specific receptors. In addition to the receptor mediated action, the discovery of melatonin as a direct free radical scavenger has greatly broadened the understanding of melatonin's mechanisms which benefit reproductive physiology. Higher concentrations of melatonin have been found in human preovulatory follicular fluid compared to serum, and there is growing evidence of the direct effects of melatonin on ovarian function especially oocyte maturation and...

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Young breast cancer survivors face serious quality-of-life challenges

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:22:04 +0100

Quality of life in younger patients treated for breast cancer is seriously compromised, and these women face more physical and mental health issues than women their age who haven't had cancer and women over 50 who have, according to a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study, published Jan. 20 in the peer-reviewed Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that younger breast cancer survivors suffer from a slew of problems, including severe psychological distress, infertility, premature menopause, a decrease in physical activity and weight gain. The study points to the need for oncologists to let these younger patients know from the beginning of their therapy what may happen to them after it's finished, said the study's lead author, D...

Loss of Genomic Imprinting in Mouse Embryos with Fast Rates of Preimplantation Development in Culture.

Biology of Reproduction — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We examined cell number, embryo volume, embryo sex, imprinted Snrpn and H19 methylation, imprinted Snrpn, H19 and Cdkn1c expression, and expression of genes involved in embryo metabolism, Atp1a1, Slc2a1 and Mapk14, all within the same individual embryo. Contrary to our hypothesis, we observed that faster developing embryos exhibited greater cell numbers and embryo volumes, as well as greater perturbations in genomic imprinting and metabolic marker expression. Embryos with slower rates of preimplantation development were most similar to in vivo-derived embryos, displaying similar cell numbers, embryo volumes, Snrpn and H19 imprinted methylation, H19 imprinted expression, and Atp1a1 and Slc2a1 expression. We conclude that faster development rates in vitro are correlated with loss of genomic ...

FKBP52 is regulated by HOXA10 during decidualizaton and in endometriosis.

Reproduction — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yang H, Zhou Y, Edelshain B, Schatz F, Lockwood CJ, Taylor HS Abstract FKBP52 and FKBP51 are progestin receptor (PR) co-chaperone protein that enhance and inhibit, respectively, progestin-mediated transcription by PR. Here we examined FKBP52 and FKBP51 expression in eutopic endometrium of fertile women and those with endometriosis, the effects FKBP52 and FKBP51 on the decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) and assessed HOXA10 regulation of FKBP52. Expression of FKBP52 mRNA was increased in the late proliferative phase and remained elevated through the secretory phase. FKBP51 expression was low and remained constant throughout the menstrual cycle. Compared with controls, FKBP52 mRNA expression was decreased in endometrium from women with endometriosis, w...

Practicability of vaginal washing fluid creatinine level in detecting premature rupture of membranes

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:12:46 +0100

Conclusion This study showed that creatinine determination in vaginal washing fluid is a useful marker for PROM diagnosis. It is a reliable, simple, cheap and rapid test. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Maternal-Fetal MedicinePages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s00404-012-2233-6Authors Leila Sekhavat, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranRaziah Dehghani Firouzabadi, Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IranPrisa Mojiri, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Journal Archives of Gynecology and ObstetricsOnline ISSN 1432-0711Print ISSN 0932-0067 (Source: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics)

In Breast Cancer, The Quality Of Life For Younger Patients More Adversely Affected Than For Older Women

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Quality of life in younger patients treated for breast cancer is seriously compromised and these women suffer from severe psychological distress, infertility, premature menopause, a decrease in physical activity and weight gain, according to a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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More Adverse Quality-Of-Life Issues Experienced By Younger Breast Cancer Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Younger women with breast cancer experience a decrease in their health-related quality of life (QOL), associated with increased psychological distress, weight gain, a decline in their physical activity, infertility and early onset menopause, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in women, and is the leading cause of death in women under 50 in the U.S... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The association between homocysteine in the follicular fluid with embryo quality and pregnancy rate in assisted reproductive techniques

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:18:39 +0100

Conclusion Low follicular fluid homocysteine level is associated with a better chance of clinical pregnancy. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIESPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s10815-012-9709-yAuthors Pelin Ocal, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TurkeyBilge Ersoylu, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Denizli Camevi Public Hospital, Denizli, TurkeyIsmail Cepni, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TurkeyOnur Guralp, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TurkeyNil Atakul, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Univ...

DNA repair gene variants in endometrial carcinoma

Medical Oncology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:54:26 +0100

In this study, we investigated the association of the polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XRCC3 Thr241Met, XPD Lys751Gln, XPG Asp1104His, APE1 Asp148Glu, and HOGG1 Ser326Cys, with endometrium cancer risk. Two hundred and sixty-two women were included in the study. Endometrial biopsy was performed, and on the basis of diagnosis and histological examination, women were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 158) and an endometrial cancer group (n = 104). Genotypes were determined by PCR–RFLP assays in endometrial carcinoma patients and age-matched controls. In this study, we found that the frequencies of Glu+ and Asp/Glu genotypes in APE, Gln/Gln genotype of XRCC1, Met/Met genotype of XRCC3, Cys+ and Ser/Cys genotypes of HOGG1, His+ and ...

Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is critical for conferring uterine receptivity to implantation [Developmental Biology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A blastocyst will implant only when the uterus becomes receptive. Following attachment, luminal epithelial cells undergo degeneration at the site of the blastocyst. Although many genes critical for uterine receptivity are primarily regulated by ovarian hormones, Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), a zinc finger-containing transcription factor, is persistently expressed in epithelial cells independently of ovarian hormones. Loss of uterine Klf5 causes female infertility due to defective implantation. Cox2 is normally expressed in the luminal epithelium and stroma at the site of blastocyst attachment, but luminal epithelial COX2 expression is absent with loss of Klf5. This is associated with the retention of the epithelium around the implantation chamber with arrested embryonic growth. These resul...

Lower Quality Of Life In Young Women With Breast Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

A study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reveals that health-related quality of life (QOL) is lower in younger women with breast cancer. This decrease is linked to weight gain, increased psychological distress, less physical activity and early onset menopause, as well as infertility. In the U.S., breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women under the age of 50, and the most prevalent cancer in women... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Terrence Higgins Trust statement on Public Health Outcomes Framework

Terrence Higgins Trust — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:02:12 +0100

Terrence Higgins Trust's Chief Executive, Sir Nick Partridge, comments on the new Public Health Outcomes Framework published today: ""Poor sexual health is a major concern in the UK so it's vitally important there are specific indicators for both HIV and chlamydia screening. Whilst undiagnosed chlamydia can cause infertility and affects as many as nearly 1 in 15 young people, late diagnosed HIV causes severe ill health, further HIV infections and an earlier death. "These two indicators will tell us whether we are getting our sexual health prevention messages right and whether we are getting enough people through the doors to test. They also give us an opportunity to refresh what we are doing on sexual health in communities, focus on specific local needs and tie approaches in more closely w...

Quality of life for younger breast cancer patients more adversely affected than older women

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences) Quality of life in younger patients treated for breast cancer is seriously compromised and these women suffer from severe psychological distress, infertility, premature menopause, a decrease in physical activity and weight gain, according to a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Primate model research for endometriosis.

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:00:02 +0100

Authors: Yamanaka A, Kimura F, Takebayashi A, Kita N, Takahashi K, Murakami T Abstract Endometriosis is defined as the existence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, and it includes a chronic, inflammatory reaction associated with female infertility and pelvic pain. Endometriosis occurs in 7 to 10% of women. Although it has been studied for more than 50 years, the pathogenesis and development of endometriosis are still poorly understood. There is no curative therapy for endometriosis, which often recurs after surgical or medical treatment. There is a consensus that the adverse current of menstrual blood plays a crucial role in the development of endometriosis. This places a major limitation on research using rodent models of endometriosis, although these are still wide...

SEPT12 mutations cause male infertility with defective sperm annulus

Human Mutation — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:25:08 +0100

We report the identification of two missense SEPT12 mutations, c.266C>T/p.Thr89Met and c.589G>A/p.Asp197Asn, in infertile men. Both mutations are located inside the GTPase domain and may alter the protein structure as suggested by in silico modeling. The p.Thr89Met mutation (SEPT12T89M) significantly reduced GTP hydrolytic activity, and the p.Asp197Asn mutation (SEPT12D197N) interfered with GTP binding. Both mutant SEPT12 proteins restricted the filament formation of the wild‐type SEPT12 in a dose‐dependent manner. The patient carrying SEPT12D197N presented with oligo‐asthenozoospermia while the SEPT12T89M patient had astheno‐teratozoospermia. The characteristic sperm pathology of the SEPT12D197N patient included defective annulus with bent tail and loss of SEPT12 from the an...

Artificial testicle could treat male infertility

the Mail online | Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:01:06 +0100

An artificial testicle that produces human sperm could help solve male infertility, says Dr Paul Turek, a practicing male infertility specialist in San Francisco. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Younger breast cancer patients have more adverse quality-of-life issues

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Journal of the National Cancer Institute) Younger women with breast cancer experience a decrease in their health-related quality of life, associated with increased psychological distress, weight gain, a decline in their physical activity, infertility and early onset menopause, according to a study published Jan. 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Epigenetic Alterations in Sperm DNA Associated with Testicular Cancer Treatment

Toxicological Sciences — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

DNA methylation, a key component of the epigenome involved in regulating gene expression, is initially acquired in the germ line at millions of sites across the genome. Altered sperm methylation patterns are associated with infertility and transgenerational effects in humans and rodents. Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer among men of reproductive age and has a high cure rate associated with chemotherapy treatment with bleomycin, etoposide, and cis-platinum (BEP). Although these drugs result in improved survival, they also affect the number and quality of germ cells. Our goal was to assess germ cell methylation patterns in a rodent model emulating the BEP treatment regimens used in human testicular cancer treatment. Animals were treated with control, or 0.3x (low) or 0.6x ...

Study: BMI and Fertility Link